tiny reviews of noteworthy movies I watched this month

1. Official Competition – Pénelope Cruz plays a movie director given total freedom to create a film based on a Nobel Prize winning book. Antonio Banderas plays one of the stars in her film.  
   
   Cruz and Banderas deliver superlative performances in this dark-ish comedy. 
   
2. What Do We See When We Look at the Sky – a German – Georgian collaboration, this fresh and unique fantasy film is about two people who like each other. A curse, however, alters their appearances so they no longer recognize one another. 
   
   At times, this film seems to be an excuse for the filmmaker to string together a series of beautiful images that neither add nor detract from the plot. If you’re willing to drift along on this tide, you’ll experience an avant guard, unique film you won’t soon forget.
   
   (watched on Mubi)
   
3. The Illusionist – based on a script by Jacques Tati (of Mon Oncle and Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday fame) this beautifully illustrated film is a Tati-esque commentary on desires – the push and pull of realizing that someone you care for has a side to them you struggle to reconcile. It begs the question who the hungry ghost really is. 
   
   The film is hand-drawn and has all the elements of French cinema. 
   
   (watched on Mubi)
   
4. Fallen Leaves – Aki Kurismaki’s film is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a really long time.If Wes Anderson and Ozu were to collaborate on a film, it might look like this. 
   
   Set in Finland, this is romantic-comedy delivers gorgeous coloring (at times reminiscent of Wes Anderson and the times of Ozu) and images, a strong likable female main character, and a simple yet rich plot line. 
   
   It was named as one of the top five best international films by the New York organization National Board of Review. Finland also chose Fallen Leaves as its Academy Award submission. This one is my top winner for January. 
   
   (watched on Mubi)
   
5. Fremont – I loved this 2023 film by Iranian director Babak Jalali who makes the bold decision to create a black and white film about an Afghan refugee, Donya.
   
   There is a strong Jarmusch vibe to this film in its general off-beat-ness, for instance, the fortune-cookie factory where Donya works or the strange obsession the psychiatrist has with the novel White Fang. 
   
   I definitely recommend this movie. 
   
   (watched on Mubi)

MUBI has been a great streaming service. Starting on Feb 2nd, it offers a special deal – $1.00 / 3 months. 

(This is not an advertisement for Mubi.)

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